New Transcript Shows Putin Convinced Trump to Drop Tomahawk Plan for Ukraine

According to a newly leaked transcript published November 26, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin persuaded Trump to abandon a plan to send long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. The call was reportedly arranged by Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy.

The call — held on October 16, just prior to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s White House visit — followed a conversation between Witkoff and top Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. In that conversation, Witkoff reportedly coached Ushakov on how to frame the pitch to Trump, including praising Trump’s Gaza-ceasefire efforts and calling him a “man of peace.”

During the call, Putin warned that sending the missiles would “escalate the war,” damage U.S.–Russia relations, and jeopardize any chance of a negotiated settlement.

The result: Trump reportedly shelved the plan to deliver Tomahawks to Ukraine, even as Kyiv had counted on the move to strengthen its long-range strike capabilities.

Who’s Involved — and Why It Matters

Steve Witkoff — the envoy credited with coordinating the call. According to the transcript, he advised the Kremlin on how to approach Trump, effectively helping orchestrate a call that led to a major policy shift.

Yuri Ushakov — the Kremlin aide who received the advice and reportedly passed it to Putin before the call.

Vladimir Putin — the Russian president who made his case to Trump that supplying Ukraine with Tomahawks would be a serious mistake.

Donald Trump — the U.S. president who had appeared open to supplying long-range missiles to Kyiv, but reversed course after the call.

The decision matters because Tomahawk missiles carry long-range strike capability — potentially enabling Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory, including strategic military and energy infrastructure. Their supply has been seen by many as a possible deterrent against Russian escalation.

Fallout — Political and Strategic

The leak of the transcript itself has sparked a backlash. Some U.S. lawmakers from both parties have called for accountability — questioning whether Witkoff’s involvement crossed ethical or diplomatic lines.

The Kremlin denounced the leak as “hybrid warfare,” claiming it was intended to sabotage U.S.–Russia diplomacy.

In Ukraine, the move has reignited concern that Kyiv’s military strategy may lose the boost long-range missiles would have provided, complicating its ability to strike deep targets or push back against Russian advances.

—

What Comes Next — And What to Watch

U.S. decision-makers will likely face intense pressure to explain whether the Tomahawk plan is permanently off the table — and whether this call revealed a broader shift in U.S. policy toward Russia and Ukraine.

The fate of the broader “peace plan” negotiated with Russia remains uncertain. The same transcript also reportedly contains elements of a draft settlement framework that many view as heavily favorable to Moscow.

International allies of Ukraine are watching closely: if the U.S. pulls back from supplying long-range weapons, questions will mount about the future military support and potential for escalation in the region.